Verizon iPhone at NYC event this week? I'm still not buying it

The word is out: Verizon is expected to announce an iPhone on its network at a Tuesday news event in New York City. But you'll have to forgive me if I'm not buying it - the rumor, or the phone, for that matter.

The Wall Street Journal, which cited unnamed sources in a Saturday report, said that Verizon will make the announcement on Tuesday but it was unclear when the devices would be available or whether they would be 4G LTE devices. Certainly, it's strange that Verizon would host an event just days after it had the attention of the entire tech and electronics community at CES, where it unveiled a lineup of 4G products, including Android smartphones.

But it also makes sense that Apple, which never has a presence at CES, would keep this partner hushed at CES so it could release the news on its own terms.

What doesn't make sense is that something as big as an iPhone for Verizon - a coming-soon rumor that has been around for years - would be announced at a Verizon event in New York City, instead of at an Apple event in San Francisco. After all, that's where Steve Jobs and Company have chosen to make all of their previous big-headline news announcements.

Personally, I gave up speculating about - and waiting for - a Verizon iPhone back in May of last year when I finally broke down and bought the Droid Incredible, an Android phone - which I like very much. So while I'm not necessarily buying the rumor, I still would have no plans to buy a Verizon iPhone, either. Certainly, both companies will do well with a Verizon iPhone and there will be plenty of excitement around it - so many people have been waiting for so long.

But, I think I'll just hang on to that Droid Incredible until the 4G HTC Thunderbolt, one of the new devices put into Verizon's spotlight during CES, is released. My iPhone envy ship has already set sail. Apple waited too long and gave Google a chance to win me over.

I have to believe that I'm not the only one.